Arts funding

Catford’s Broadway Theatre is closing this month for a £7m renovation project.

Funding for the work comes from Lewisham Council’s capital programme and will include an overhaul of the theatre’s auditorium and foyer.

The refurbishment means the Grade II listed building will be closed throughout Lewisham’s tenure as London Borough of Culture.

Cabinet Member for Culture André Bourne said it is important the area continues to invest in its arts heritage.

“We’re happy to have secured the £7m needed to give the theatre a new lease of life as it approaches its 90th birthday, making it more inclusive and ensuring it meets audiences’ expectations for comfort and quality.”

Peterborough's Key Theatre has been saved by Selladoor, which operates the local New Theatre.

The venue closed earlier this week despite attempts by campaigners and the local council to keep it open.

It was Peterborough's only subsidised theatre and a home to Mask Theatre and the Kindred drama group.

The city said Key Theatre was forecast to lose £300,000 per year and that it will "look for different, more cost effective ways to deliver services".

Efforts to find a commercial operator came to fruition on Thursday (January 20), thought the deal is still subejct to final negotiations.

A council spokesperson said aspirations outlined in a new cultural strategy remain.

"We are fully committed to maintaining and improving the city’s cultural offer, however our budget position may challenge this work.  

"We will face some difficult decisions going forwards and we have to be realistic in our ambitions until we are operating in a financially stable way."

Community groups may soon be able to take over a theatre at risk of closure.

Thurrock Council has changed its position on selling the Thameside Complex, which contains a library, museum and Thameside Theatre.

It now says handing the theatre over to campaigners is the best option.

Sam Byrne of the Save Your Thameside Campaign said "we have a long way to go".

"We are pleased that the people of Thurrock's voices have been heard. However, this is not a done deal by any means.

"If the community were able to take the Thameside Complex on, the financial support from the council for this transformational project would have to be right to ensure its success."

The Welsh Government has made another £10.1m of Culture Recovery Fund money available to organisations affected by recent restrictions.

The £15.4m scheme, which includes £5.25m in winter stability funding, is open for applications via the Arts Council of Wales today (January 12).

Events are currently capped at 30 people indoors and 50 outdoors, two metres' social distancing is required in public and where possible at work, and the rule of six applies to any group visiting a theatre, gallery, museum or cinema.

Eligibility for the fund hinges on demonstrating a financial loss since December. The arts council's Chair Phil George acknowledged arts organisations "are facing a period of serious financial challenge".

"We are determined to ensure that arts and cultural organisations who play a key role in the wellbeing of communities across Wales will be able to bring solace, delight and vision as we struggle with the pandemic and as we recover and rebuild. The need for this support has obviously become even more urgent as a result of the impact of the Omicron variant.”

A new funding opportunity supporting digital art is live in Northern Ireland.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s (ACNI) Organisations Digital Evolution Awards is aimed at those making digital art for the first time or working with digital technology they have not used previously.

Organisations can apply for grants of up to £10,000, with £40,000 available in total. Applications are open until February 14, with decisions expected by April 4.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the council's Creative Industries Officer if they wish to discuss the eligibility of their project concepts.

“This programme reflects the arts council’s commitment to encouraging innovative practices that cross artform boundaries and build digital capabilities within the Northern Ireland arts sector,” Chief Executive Roisin McDonough said.

Worcester City Council has restored direct funding for the arts following a campaign by the Worcester Arts Council.

The local authority gave a £3,000 annual grant to the council until 2018, when it decided instead to run a community grants scheme in house.

It has now returned to funding Worcester Arts Council with the support of city council Chief Executive David Blake and council leader Marc Bayliss.

Worcester Arts Council estimates 5,000 people benefitted from its small grants programme in the year preceding the pandemic.

“I am delighted that Worcester Arts Council can once again support local arts organisations," Chairman George Squires said.

£585,000 is being sought to upgrade The Harris in Preston.

Preston City Council plans to ask Arts Council England to part fund Harris Your Place, its £10m refurbishment programme. £4.5m has already been recieved from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The museum, art gallery and library needs new lighting, signage, heating and ventilation, the council says.

Works would allow the building to host larger exhibitions and loans from major institutions.